A tractor mounted sampler combining positive air flow across the cotton plant and negative pressure in the specimen receptacle was evaluated for boll weevil collecting efficiency. The mechanical sampler was as efficient as the drop cloth technique for boll weevil sampling. Of three sampler modifications tested (ground speed, air flow speed, and receptacle area reduction), only receptacle area reduction significantly increased efficiency. In fruiting cotton, >56% of the adult weevils were found within the bracts of squares and our tests indicated that this segment of the population could not be sampled effectively with mechanical or drop cloth techniques. Regression analysis showed that trends in mechanical sampler collections of adult boll weevils closely reflected population trends.